Bucs Steal Win From Skins, 19-13

The Bucs defense forced 6 turnovers to help the team beat the Redskins in a game that has cemented the Bucs' lead in the Division, and put them in a good position should they come down to a wild card spot. With Garcia going out after the first series, the Bucs needed every turnover they got to win. Gradkowski continued to look like the guy who played last year, and couldn't take advantage of the 4 first half fumbles, only getting field goals on 3 of those excellent drive starts. Had just one been a TD, this game would likely have never been so close down the stretch.

The Bucs need to re-evaluate the back-up QB spot. McCown may not be acclimated to game speed, but at least he can actually get the ball to Graham on the 5 yard dump off pass. He'll never get up to game speed if he doesn't play for a few series, either.

The Bucs also got some stellar work from the kickers with Bryant nailing 4 field goals, and Bidwell averaging just over 50 yards a punt, keeping the Redskins pinned back. That helped late when the defense started getting tired when it was unable to get the Redskins' offense off the field after several 3rd and longs, and the Bucs' offense failed to get a first down on their first second half possession. The defense then allowed another long drive, but managed to stuff the Skins on 4th and 1 inside the 5. Unfortunately, the offense was unable to get out of the endzone area, but Bidwell nailed a 61 yard punt that flipped the field in favor of the Bucs. By then the defense was getting gassed. A pick by Barber, to make him the franchise's all-time leading pass interceptor at 32 picks, killed a promising Redskins drive. Then Garcia returned, but, instead of running for a 1st down on 3rd and short, he tried to hit Galloway deep and missed. The Bucs punted the ball away with around 3 minutes left and pinned the Redskins deep, but they came right down the field and got to the 17 yard line when Campbell threw to the endzone where Kelly was waiting to pick off the pass and end the game.

In the end the Bucs got the win and that's what counts the most, as they are now 7-4 and can all but lock-up the Division with a win against the Saints. In fact, if the Bucs win this week, they would only need another win, or a loss by the Saints and Panthers to win the Division. In other words, if they win the next two games, they clinch.